Pack &amp; blind

ABSTRACT

The Pack &amp; Blind is a combination backpack and portable hunting concealment blind. It is a pack frame made of rigid metal or plastic that supports two detachable cloth blinds from each side with the cloth pack located within the pack frame. The Pack &amp; Blind can be used from a ground position or an elevated position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of hunting, specifically to ground blinds and tree blinds and backpacks. This invention is a portable frame or structure that supports the combination of both a hunting blind and a backpack, which can be used from an elevated tree stand position or a ground position. The frame is designed to support to hold a weapon such as a bow or gun.

Hunters, naturalists, photographers, and other users of blinds and tree stands use elevated heights and artificial cover (blinds) as a means of non-detection to observe, photograph, or hunt both game and non-game animals and other species.

Hunters will be the primary users of the Pack & Blind. Hunting has changed over the past 25 years, as has many other sports. Most hunters, 25 years ago, went into the woods armed with a weapon, a snack, and maybe a crudely designed and probably uncomfortable stool to sit upon. Hunters now have the choice of many high-tech light and very comfortable stools and chairs to choose from. Many varieties of high-tech weaponry is available, but most importantly what is available is the many hand-held gadgets that are available to today's hunters. Gadgets include deer calls, duck calls, turkey calls, deer lures, lure dispensers, GPS units, drag ropes, water dispensers, rattle bags, etc.

Years ago, if a hunter wanted to hunt from a blind (a man-made structure or screen made of natural or man-made materials), he made first a natural, then later he made man-made blinds of camouflage material. Today a hunter can buy many styles, shapes, and sizes of blinds to be used either in a tree stand or on the ground. Most blinds are designed to specifically work only in a tree stand or only on the ground. And that is the problem. Blinds don't convert from ground to tree and tree to ground. A person needs to own or carry two different blinds to operate from both an elevated and a ground position.

And the problem with most backpacks is that they are too small or too big, or not designed to organize most of the gadgets and accommodate the hunters' needs for extra jackets, lunch, and seating and gadget organization. Everything is bunch-packed into three or four different compartments. Most packs are not readily stored at the stand once you arrive. The problem is where do you put them and keep them accessible for easy, quiet retrieval of the items you want or need? How do you store them on a stand safely?

Tree stands are small spaces to operate on. The average tree stand platform is only 21″×29″. Most backpacks occupy as much as half of that space. A backpack in the tree stand can be detrimental to the safety, comfort and available user space of the tree stand occupant.

The concealment of hunter movement is probably the single most important achievement a hunter can attain in the pursuit of wild game. The use of blinds is essential to achieve that goal. Using a blind in a tree stand should be easy to assemble and disassemble and safe during assembly, use and disassembly. A blind should not overly constrain hunter movement. A blind should not draw concerned attention from the pursued game.

The frame design of the Pack & Blind addresses all of the above. The frame is designed to hang the pack portion and the blind portion outside of the portable tree stand. The pack portion is held in front of the tree stand with the compartments facing in toward the tree stand occupant for easy retrieval and replacement of items. A cloth screen is attached to either side of the backpack and stretched alongside the tree stand and attached by bungy straps or hook and loop to the rear of the tree stand. The hunter is concealed behind a solid cloth screen on three sides. The hunter retains near 100% of his user space because the pack is outside and in front of the tree stand.

Many hunter and naturalists prefer to work from the ground. There are many ground blinds on the market today of various sizes from partial to total concealment.

Ground blinds may accommodate several people at the same time. Ground blinds need to accomplish on the ground what was stated earlier in the tree . . . concealment, safety, easy assembly and disassembly, and portability.

The Pack & Blind works on the ground and setup is accomplished easily. The Pack & Blind framework is pushed into the ground creating a fence-like three-sided structure into which the hunter conceals himself. There are many backpack patents. Many backpacks convert into other things like deer carriers, wheelbarrows, camping chairs, etc., but they are no longer backpacks when converted.

There are several blind patents. Most are tree oriented or ground oriented only. The backpack portion of the Pack & Blind converts to a blind and remains a backpack. The Pack & Blind combination works in a tree and on the ground.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Pack & Blind is a pack frame made of rigid metal or plastic combined with a pack of cloth material and two detachable cloth blinds. It is intended to conceal its user, either a hunter or some other naturalist, from either an elevated tree stand position or a ground position.

The cloth for the pack and the blind portions will be of a water resistant or waterproof material which is lightweight, strong and durable. The cloth may be nylon, polyester or canvas or a blend of these and other materials. The cloth material will have a camouflage pattern.

The frame will be aluminum or some other rigid lightweight material.

The top portion of the pack frame will serve as a hanger on the inside (the side facing the user) and the outside will serve as a weapon holder (bow or rifle or shotgun) or an equipment holder.

The pack frame will hang from the seat structure of the portable tree stand and the pack frame will stand on the ground when used from ground level. The pack frame is shaped like a miniature version of an elderly person's walker.

Having the option to hunt from ground or tree gives the user the ability to quickly adjust to changing weather conditions and the ability to use terrain and environment to the best advantage possible.

Having the user side or the entry side of the pack facing the user has advantages like better organization, reduction of noise and movement, and readiness. The pack user should know exactly where an item is located inside the pack. He can retrieve the item when he needs it without hesitation and without excessive movement and noise. All is accomplished while concealed behind the screening effect of the Pack and Blind and it is accomplished without reduction of space.

The pack frame has a weapon holder so that the weapon or camera or other elongated items may be placed outside of the user area of the tree stand. And there are several hook and loop straps available to place or hang other items outside of the user area but inside concealed behind the blind. For example, inside the blind to either side of the pack there is a hook and loop strap positioned to especially accommodate hanging an arrow quiver loaded with arrows, thereby increasing a hunter's readiness and making him more organized.

The portability and its readiness to accept the ground setup or the tree stand setup make the user able to change his pursuit from one species to another without delay. The pack frame can also be used to pack large game back to base camps or other destinations. The blind extensions are removable and they can be used to wrap or protect cargo that may be packed upon the frame.

The Pack & Blind was intended to help the user be less detectable, better organized, more adaptable, most ready, and more successful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a view of the Pack & Blind pack frame and blind supports.

FIG. 2 is a view of the pack frame and blind supports hanging from a typical portable tree stand.

FIG. 3 is a view of the left and right blinds with two pole slots and multiple hook and loop straps.

FIG. 4 is a view of the user side of the Pack & Blind with open pack flap exposing multiple pockets inside of pack.

FIG. 5 is a view of the carrier side of the Pack & Blind with blinds unrolled and attached to the pack frame.

FIG. 6 is a view of the carrier side of the Pack & Blind with blinds rolled up and attached to the pack frame.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the Pack & Blind with blind rolled and attached to the pack frame.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the pack & Blind with blind rolled and attached to the pack frame.

FIG. 9 is a view of the user side of the Pack & Blind with blinds rolled up and attached to the pack frame.

FIG. 10 is a view of the weapon holder and hook and loop quiver holder.

FIG. 11 is a view of the user side of the Pack & Blind with blinds unrolled and attached to the pack frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Pack & Blind frame is made of aluminum tubing (which may be square or round) or other rigid metals or fibers or plastics and consists of three parts. One part supports the backpack and each of the other two parts supports one of the two blind extensions (FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C).

The pack frame is shaped similar to a four-legged walker (FIG. 1A). The four legs support the pack while on the ground and the top portion of the frame (shaped similar to the handles of a walker) serve as a weapon holder (FIG. 2B) and a hanger for the pack when used from an elevated tree stand position (FIG. 2C).

The blind frame parts are each shaped like the number 7. The lower portion is pushed by hand into the soil to support the blinds when erected on the ground (FIGS. 1B and 1C). The upper portion hangs from the tree stand seat rail on the sides (FIG. 2C).

Within the pack frame is a cloth pack made of a water-resistant or water proof material (FIG. 4A).

The blind material is made of cloth of similar material. Both blinds have a pole slot located approximately in the middle and a pole slot on the end furthest away from the pack. The pack end of the blind is attached by hook and loop and also is detachable (FIGS. 3A and 3B).

To use the Pack & Blind in a tree stand, the user hooks the top portion of the pack frame over the front bar of the seat portion of a tree stand. The pack frame is secured to the bar with two hook and loop straps.

A climber type portable tree stand consists of a seat support and a platform (FIGS. 2D and 2E). The tree stand user places his feet on the platform and sits on the seat support.

When the pack frame is secure the user then releases or unhooks the hook and loop straps (FIG. 9A) that secure one of the blinds. The user will unroll the blind and stretch the blind toward the rear of the tree stand seat and attach the blind to the rear of the tree stand seat.

The blind frame pole should be positioned in the middle pole slot. The upper portion of the seven (the blind pole is shaped like the number 7) is hooked on top and just inside the side rail of the tree stand seat.

Repeat the above procedure to attach the other or remaining blind.

When set up, the blind and the pack are located outside of the tree stand. The user portion of the cloth pack is facing the pack user. The pack serves as the center portion of the blind apparatus.

Hook and loop straps are positioned on the inside of the blind to serve as equipment holders, such as an archery quiver or a pistol holster or a camera case strap (FIG. 10A).

The top portion of the pack frame furthest from the user is used as a weapon holder for a bow or a gun or other equipment. Items lay perpendicular to the support rails of the pack frame (FIG. 10B).

The poles and the pack frame have hook and loop straps positioned at or near their lower ends to secure the lower portions of the pack and the blind to the platform of the tree stand.

To remove the Pack & Blind from the tree stand, the user detaches one blind from the rear of the seat, then folds and/or rolls the blind material toward the pack and secures the blinds to the pack with hook and loop straps located on the side of the pack. When the other blind is secure, the hook and look is unhooked from the front bar of the seat structure and the Pack & Blind is ready to be lowered to the ground with rope.

The Pack & Blind is transported on the user's back with shoulder and hip straps similar to other backpacks (FIG. 6).

To install the Pack & Blind on the ground, the user places the pack on the ground and pushes the pack legs into the ground by applying down pressure on the frame from the top.

The blinds are unrolled and the poles are slipped into the end pole slots (FIGS. 11A and 11B), then pushed into the ground with downward pressure from the top of the poles. The poles are positioned to enclose the user on three sides. The pack covers the user's front and the blinds cover the user's sides. The rear of the blind remains open. It is recommended that a bush or other natural cover be utilized as back cover for the user.

The weapon holder is used the same as when in the tree stand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Eleven pages of drawings are attached for understanding the subject matter sought to be patented.

FIG. 1 is a view of the pack frame and blind supports, A, B, and C are the points from which the pack and blind hangs when placed in a portable tree stand.

FIG. 2 is a picture of a typical climbing tree stand and the pack and blind frame is attached at the points listed on FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, A and C are the hanger points. B shows the weapon holder location. D marks the seat structure of a typical tree stand. E marks the platform structure of a typical tree stand.

FIG. 3 shows each of the two concealment blinds of the Pack & Blind. Part A shows the left side blind with two pole slots on the left edge and middle of the blind. The pole slots are the support points for the blind frame support poles. The middle slot is utilized when in a tree stand and the end one is utilized when on the ground. The three strips of hook and loop straps on the right side are used to attached the blind to the pack frame on the corner of carrier side of the frame. The other hook and loop straps are on the top edge and the bottom edge are for temporary attachment to the tree stand when in use. The hook and loop straps near the top right corner but just inside is for hanging a bow quiver or some other equipment when the blind is in use. Part B is the right side blind. It shows the same features as the left blind.

FIG. 4 is a view of the user side of the Pack & Blind. Note that the user side of the pack is available to the blind occupant and is specifically designed with a compartment with multiple pockets to hold handheld objects of varying sizes.

FIG. 5 is a view of the carrier side of the Pack & Blind. The poles are in the ground blind position. The carrier's harness consists of shoulder and hip straps.

FIG. 6 shows the carrier side of the Pack & Blind with the blinds rolled up and attached to the pack frame with hook and loop straps strapped around the rolled up blind. Note that the hook and loop straps hang loose in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6. It is the right side view of the Pack & Blind with the right blind rolled up and attached to the frame.

FIG. 8 is the left side view of FIG. 6. The left blind is rolled up and attached to the pack.

FIG. 9 is the user side view of the Pack & Blind with the blind rolled up and the storage compartments zipped.

FIG. 10 shows the user side of the blind with the blinds unrolled. Part A is the hook and loop straps that hold a bow quiver or other equipment when the blind is in use. Part B shows a shotgun lying in the weapon holder.

FIG. 11 is another user side view of the Pack & Blind. Parts A & B are the poles in the ground slot position. 

1. I claim that I have invented a rigid frame that supports a backpack and a concealment blind from an elevated tree stand position or from a ground position. I claim that the frame will support the backpack with the entry compartments on the user side (not the carrier's side) facing toward to occupant of the blind. I claim that the frame will hang in a vertical position from the seat portion of the tree stand and when on the ground will stand vertical with ground penetration from the bottoms of the frame system. I claim that I have designed a backpack and two concealment blinds for use with this frame system. I claim that the concealment blinds may be permanently attached or detachable. I claim that I have invented a backpack that converts into a concealment blind I claim that when used as a concealment blind the backpack retains its function and utility as a pack. I claim that the backpack is part of the concealment blind when the concealment blind is in use. I claim that I have invented a concealment blind and a pack that hangs outside of a tree stand's user space I claim that the frame system will have a weapon and/or equipment holder located for user access on top of the frame. I claim that the rigid frame may be made of aluminum or other metals or fiberglass or plastics. 